Paid in full
Mark 15:33-41
Intro
Follow sport – “game two halves” All games two halves! But mean marked difference 1st, 2nd halves. Played poorly then well or vv. One team dominated, then other. Exciting, boring etc. Game two halves
Mark Gospel 2 halves. Distinctly different. 1st half successful all does – heals sick, drives out demons, calms storm, raises dead, preaches powerfully, popular. Culminates Peter’s confession “you are the Christ.” (8:29) X this point becomes sombre – 3x predicts death, disciples confused / disheartened, opposition grows, Judas joins enemy, disciples flee when arrested, brought for trial. Passages read continue chart downward course: Condemned / abused by Sanhedrin, Peter denies 3x, used political purposes Pilate, crowds call crucifixion, soldiers abuse, hung on cross. Passers by, chief priests, ToLs even crims crucified insult him.
There hangs alone, abandoned by all, yet for Mark finest hour
– 6x ch 15 Jesus called King of Jews / Israel
– 2nd half, too, will culminate confession – Centurion “Son of God”
But Mark doesn’t explain events, tells story skilfully leaves to reader to ponder, decide for self who Jesus is.
– Let’s look at account – see what is going on
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- Jesus’ descent into hell
Oppressive nature of darkness – sounds magnified, imagination set loose, adrenalin flows freely. If in pain, headache etc nothing to distract. Others menacing ‘cos can’t see face. Feel alone ‘cos can’t even see next to you …
Commentators sought explanation. Couldn’t be eclipse – Passover at full moon, only lasts minutes. This lasted 3 hours (12pm – 3pm). Dust storm …
Can’t explain – Miraculous act God.
– likely crowds sensed this fell silent or at least muted
Darkness symbolic of θ’s curse / judgement (numerous OT passages)
–9th plague suggestive – oppressive darkness felt – which preceded death firstborn sons
– darkness preceded deliverance as here
But darkness symbolises θ’s judgement sins all mankind (yours, mine)
– as Jesus hung cross, Father’s loving gaze turned x Son
– not only abandoned all men but now also by Father
– for 3 interminable hrs full weight wrath θ on ours sins poured out on Son
– this what feared in Gethsemane, cup asked be taken away
– most intimate rel imaginable uninterrupted in eternity, ruptured and love, fellowship replaced unrestrained wrath, punishment
– cost Father & Son – imagine pouring out full weight of fury on child u love
– payment our sins came terrible cost Godhead!
After 3 hours enduring agony millions lifetimes, X cries out words Ps 22:1
– express depths agony / absolute anguish Spirit
– friend “X knew what coming, wasn’t hard, we could do too”
– not picture Scripture – X suffered unimaginably, huge cost!
See here true picture ugliness sin
– evil one like us think “little / harmless / innocent / comic sins”
– but no such thing – here is true price sin, ultimate destination every sin, where sin aims bring you, will promise anything 2 get u there
– nothing small / insignificant / funny about sin
– look long & hard at Jesus on cross, see sin stripped all gaudy window dressing / behind all grand but empty promises / in all ugliness & horror
– pray θ imprint deep on mind, when tempted play with sin / toy temptation ask Spirit remind X’s cry on cross
– look long & hard – if truly Xn this what saved from, if not this what awaits you ‘cos price must be paid
But as gaze at man on cross not only see sin unmasked …
– also see extent θ’s mercy / love
– X paid greatest price imaginable make us right w Father
– abandoned so we would never be
– suffered pain of hell so we never would
– picture of immeasurable grace, unstoppable love, bottomless mercy
– qualities founded depths θ’s character not our deserving
– Amazing grace saved wretch like me
If look man on cross don’t know him then reckon fact that unless do one day will be you hanging there, paying price into eternity
– turn to Jesus while still time / accept as Saviour & Lord life and u2 know this amazing grace
If look man on cross, see tortured face dear saviour then praise θ for love that will not let you go …
- Paid in full
Experience owe amount for purchase some sort: stereo, furniture, car, house. Pay off bit at time. Old days used to get payment book, each payment stamped duly in book, eventually time came when made last payment and stamp “Paid in Full.” Wonderful experience – debt gone, never have to pay any more ever! Official letter from lawyer discharging debt, ownership papers, title deed house etc. Course many ppl never experience ‘cos haven’t finished paying 1st thing b4 transfer debt buy updated model! Never experience blessing “paid in full!”
But in text, number of signs point completeness X’s work / fact penalty our sin extinguished / θ’s stamp “paid in full!”
X’s cry x cross also express trust in θ / desire for him “My God, my God”
– though bearing weight θ’s wrath still looks θ vindication
– and also cry confidence – good evidence when part passage quoted in NT, writer whole OT passage in mind
– so meant see cry in context of whole Psalm – finishes cry triumph
– even moment utmost abandonment knows θ will answer
– and he does – cry came at 9th hour when darkness ended
– full price sin paid, θ turns again to Son in love
Then also read after being given drink vinegar {37}
– death on cross excruciatingly slow, every breath agonising
– watching crowd ghoulish satisfaction would each breath be last?
– slowly weakened, frequently lapsed unconscious end, died when no longer draw breath
– died exhausted, unable speak
– Jesus crucified 9am, hanging six hours, pulling self up agony nails feet, hands each breath
– yet twice read loud cry – still strong
– so unusual that manner of death caused centurion respond cry faith
– to die with loud cry demonstrates X’s willing giving up of Spirit (note v44 Pilate surprised already dead)
– Mk 10:45 “Son of Man came to give life as ransom for many”
– Having paid price for sin in full, Spirit returned to the Father
Then also read verse 38 {38}
– seems be curtain between holy / most holy place – presence θ
– ppl could not approach θ directly needed high priest
– high priest only went once year
Rending curtain demonstrated way to God now open
– no longer need earthly hp ‘cos Jesus is hp
– no longer need blood sacrifices / incense ‘cos X’s blood shed once for all
– signalled end OT pattern worship, beginning NT
– temple no longer needed, way opened destruction 70AD, never rebuilt
X’s death shows our sins paid in full, nothing left us to pay, no contribution required.
As stand at foot of cross – know for certain sins paid for, θ accepted X your place, his sacrifice sufficient cover all sins – past, present, future
– nothing you do can make θ love you more, nothing do make love u less
– X’s work / his alone has set you free
“Behold the man upon the cross, my sins upon his shoulders, ashamed I hear my mocking voice cry out among the scoffers. It was my sins which held him there, until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.”
Conclusion
X suffered unspeakable agony to pay for our sins – yours and mine. And when finished Spirit returned to θ until resurrection 1 ½ days later. Θ stamped X’s work “Paid in full.” Same seal offered all put faith in him.
Passage speaks number different responses to Jesus
– Some mocked him, said “calling Elijah” and sought prolong suffering
– Women stood at distance, uncertain. Loved Jesus, supported / followed him, don’t yet understand, not ready yet to believe
– Disciples conspicuous by absence from Gospel accounts (except John). Appear to have deserted Jesus, feared for lives.
– One man, foreigner, Roman Centurion, recognises who Jesus is and confesses him as Son of God.
But ultimately only two responses – women, disciples too will come same point as centurion.
For us today, Mark’s Gospel poses same question – how will you respond to Jesus? Will u acknowledge him as Son of God, accept sacrifice for sins, trust him alone salvation? Or will u go it alone? Choose to risk bearing own sin?
Christ’s body hangs limply on cross, spirit gone. What is your choice? How will you respond to Jesus?
Amen